To Minimize vs Minimizing Infinitives & Gerunds

When and How to Use Each Expression?

Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!

To minimize (Infinitive)

Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to minimize" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action

Example

I want to minimize my carbon footprint by using public transportation.

Minimizing (Gerund)

Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "minimizing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.

Example

Minimizing waste is crucial for a sustainable future.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To minimize (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To minimize waste is important for environmental sustainability.

  To minimize waste is important for environmental sustainability.

  • "*To minimize* waste" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (important for environmental sustainability).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to minimize my expenses.

  She wants me to minimize my expenses.

  • "Me *to minimize* my expenses" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to minimize* my expenses).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a strategy to minimize risks.

  We need a strategy to minimize risks.

  • "*To minimize* risks" modifies the noun "strategy."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strategy *to minimize* risks).

Minimizing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Minimizing plastic waste is essential for marine conservation.

  Minimizing plastic waste is essential for marine conservation.

  • "*Minimizing* plastic waste" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (essential for marine conservation).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy minimizing my carbon footprint.

  I enjoy minimizing my carbon footprint.

  • "*Minimizing* my carbon footprint" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*minimizing* my carbon footprint).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They have a passion for minimizing food waste.

  They have a passion for minimizing food waste.

  • "For *minimizing* food waste" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (have) + noun phrase (a passion for *minimizing* food waste).

Verbs Taking Infinitives/Gerunds as Objects

The following are verbs that can take only the base form of the verb (infinitive), only the -ing form (gerund), or both.

Verbs Taking Infinitives as Objects

• plan
• hope
• want
• decide
• agree

Example

He plans to minimize his use of plastic bags.

They hope to minimize their energy consumption.

We want to minimize our impact on the environment.

She decided to minimize her reliance on single-use products.

They agreed to minimize their water usage during the drought.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• imagine

Example

She enjoys minimizing her use of disposable items.

Experts recommend minimizing screen time for children.

He avoids minimizing the importance of recycling.

We are considering minimizing our meat consumption.

Can you imagine yourself minimizing your ecological footprint?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

They like to minimize their waste production. They like minimizing their waste production.

He started to minimize his use of single-use plastics. He started minimizing his use of single-use plastics.

We began to minimize our energy consumption. We began minimizing our energy consumption.